Colorado Hunting Question

[brock lube]

Hello,

I am going to be doing a OTC archery hunt with my nephew next year. I have a couple questions. Has anybody had stuff stolen from there base camp while they were out hunting. We plan on setting up a base camp close to a road/trail head, then going out hunting with enough supplies to last a couple days. I am concerned that stuff in my base camp will get stolen while we are away.

Also, do you have to park at a designated area, or can I pull off the access road and park as long as I don't block the road? Thank you for your time.

 

[realunlucky]

Brock I've never had anything stolen and don't stress over it but it can and does happen. You'll need to check with your intended Forest service office but yes you can typically camp anywhere in the national forest. Editing saw you were talking parking not camping. Yes that's exactly what I do just pull far enough off not to block the road

 

[brock lube]

sounds good. thank you.

 

[cnelk]

I had a sketchy looking cow moose casing my tent while I was out hunting.
But she didn’t take anything

As you can see, a game camera will tell you what’s going on in camp when you’re not there

 

[Wentworth6]

Thanks for posting this, my exact thoughts . Game cameras are what I was thinking

 

[Coveyleader]

Never had an issue, but it could happen. I too camp in one spot right off the road. At times I have put high end items in my truck when I leave in the AM i.e. sleeping bag. A trail cam would be a good option. I'd put it closer to the road than focused on our camp. Make no sense capturing the person and not the plates.

 

[chasewild]

Had my swaro spotter stolen and my WM bag stolen from an alpine bivy last fall. NEVER will I leave valuable items in a tent ever again.

 

[swampokie]

Had my swaro spotter stolen and my WM bag stolen from an alpine bivy last fall. NEVER will I leave valuable items in a tent ever again.

OUCH!

 

[Bronc]

Had my swaro spotter stolen and my WM bag stolen from an alpine bivy last fall. NEVER will I leave valuable items in a tent ever again.

I was reading another thread on here about wolves. It seems our friends in MN have a rule called the 3-S’s (shoot,shovel,shut up). I think the 3-S rule should be enforced on anyone stealing a mans gear.

 

[Wentworth6]

Well said

 

[Usi05]

I was reading another thread on here about wolves. It seems our friends in MN have a rule called the 3-S’s (shoot,shovel,shut up). I think the 3-S rule should be enforced on anyone stealing a mans gear.

That same rule is common in UP of Michigan as well!

 

[brock lube]

all great ideas!! thanks

 

[strugglesticks]

I have never lost anything out of my vehicle while I was packed back into the mountains. I obviously try not to leave anything valuable in sight. My hard tonneau cover and tailgate both lock, so anything I want to keep hidden goes in the back.

As far as I know, pulling off the forest roads to park is ok. But I wouldn't drive too far off the trail. Just far enough to be well clear of other traffic. There are usually areas where you can tell other people have parked. I try to use those spots instead of making my own pulloff.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[cnelk]

Familiarize yourself with 'Dispersed Camping' in the Natl Forest. Sometimes these areas can be identified on the MVUM, other times Dispersed camping can be in either designated areas or in non-designated areas. When camping in non-designated areas, the general rule is to be 100 feet from any road, trail or water source. Some areas in National Forests are closed to dispersed camping, so check postings carefully and check with the local ranger district

 

[camelcluch]

Never had anything taken but I know it always a possibility. I have left tents for almost two weeks and no issues

 

[sodaksooner]

Yep, no issues here either, but we don't leave anything we worry about losing. If left in a vehicle it is covered up and out of sight.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Hello,

I am going to be doing a OTC archery hunt with my nephew next year. I have a couple questions. Has anybody had stuff stolen from there base camp while they were out hunting. We plan on setting up a base camp close to a road/trail head, then going out hunting with enough supplies to last a couple days. I am concerned that stuff in my base camp will get stolen while we are away.

Also, do you have to park at a designated area, or can I pull off the access road and park as long as I don't block the road? Thank you for your time.

Brock, I've done a fair amount of base camp hunting the last few years. Nothing stolen or damaged, yet. Whenever possible I try to set up away from trailheads and main forrest roads. Never leave anything of high value out in the open (except for the tent). I always set up a hidden up trail cam while I am away from camp. So far the only noteworthy "visitor" was a young bull moose in camp last September. Here in CO NF lands you can camp up 300 ft. off the main forrest roads unless designated otherwise. Part of my preseason scouting involves selecting multiple camping spots in the general areas I hunt. For the most part other hunters will leave your stuff alone.

 

[brock lube]

Brock, I've done a fair amount of base camp hunting the last few years. Nothing stolen or damaged, yet. Whenever possible I try to set up away from trailheads and main forrest roads. Never leave anything of high value out in the open (except for the tent). I always set up a hidden up trail cam while I am away from camp. So far the only noteworthy "visitor" was a young bull moose in camp last September. Here in CO NF lands you can camp up 300 ft. off the main forrest roads unless designated otherwise. Part of my preseason scouting involves selecting multiple camping spots in the general areas I hunt. For the most part other hunters will leave your stuff alone.

Thank you for the information. Now, the daunting task of figuring out where to hunt.... thanks again.

 

[GPool1842]

Had tent off the main trail in a valley in CO last year and didn’t have any issues. Rain fly is bright orange, so it will def catch the eyes of anyone passing down the trail. I was 6.5 miles from the truck though, so I imagine that helps.

However, I won’t leave my tent up in public hunting parking lots here in Oklahoma at all. I will take down and set up every evening.

 

[swampokie]

u cant even leave a game cam up over a weekend here in oklahoma